Gender-based violence, HIV, war — how Oleksandra from Dnipro found support and changed her life

Oleksandra, a woman from Dnipro, is living with HIV and is a survivor of gender-based violence. Dnipro, July 2025. Photo: UN Women Ukraine / Sofia Patricia Munoz Gonzalez

A routine test that changed everything

Oleksandra is 36 years old. She was born and still lives in Dnipro. She is raising two sons. They now live together in a house inherited from her grandfather. Every morning, if the night passed without air raid alerts, Oleksandra takes the boys to kindergarten and then heads to work or runs other errands.

Her journey hasn’t been easy. In 2011, Oleksandra unexpectedly found out that she was HIV-positive. She had gone to support a pregnant friend and decided to get tested “just for company.” The result was shocking: a positive test. It turned out that her partner, who had long known about his status, had deliberately avoided antiretroviral therapy and never informed Oleksandra.

“I was angry with him. I blamed him. Later, I realized it was also my responsibility — I hadn’t insisted on getting tested before starting the relationship. Awareness was very low back then. People didn’t know how to interact with someone who is HIV-positive. The stigma still remains,” she says.  

Despite this, Oleksandra took responsibility for her health. She took antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy, and both children received treatment after birth — both are healthy.

Violence, addiction, and fear 

Problems in her personal life began even before the war. Her partner had an alcohol addiction. When the full-scale invasion began, Oleksandra temporarily relocated to Bulgaria with her children. During that time, her partner started using injectable drugs. After returning to Ukraine, Oleksandra faced the consequences of his addiction — as well as psychological, economic, and later, physical abuse.

“He blamed me for his relapses, insulted me, said I was worthless. He manipulated money — sometimes gave it, sometimes didn’t. I was dependent. I endured. I adapted,” she recalls.

A decision that changed everything 

The last straw came when, after a week of treatment in a rehabilitation center, her partner wanted to return home. Oleksandra refused. She no longer wanted her children to grow up in such an environment.

But even after they separated, the pressure continued — threats, manipulation, attempts to control her.  

“I had some seasonal income. My family helped a bit. But I couldn’t share much about my personal life. I was ashamed. And scared. I was afraid he’d take me to court over the house or try to take the children,” she says.

Oleksandra, a survivor of gender-based violence living with HIV. Dnipro, July 2025. Photo: UN Women Ukraine / Sofia Patricia Munoz Gonzalez

Support that restores your footing 

Looking for help, a doctor she knew advised Oleksandra to contact the NGO Women’s Space. This is how she met Natalia — a case manager from the organization. Thanks to her, Oleksandra learned about the opportunities offered by a project implemented with technical support from UN Women Ukraine and funded by the UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).

Within the project, she received legal and psychological consultations, as well as humanitarian aid in the form of food vouchers.

“The lawyer reassured me. He explained that my partner couldn’t just take away my children or property. And the psychological support helped me admit to myself: I can’t do this anymore. I don’t want to keep saving others. I want to save myself and my children,” says Oleksandra.

She also highlights how important the food vouchers were — usable in the Ukrainian supermarket chain with just a barcode. This allows women to access essentials quickly and with dignity.

“That helped me a lot. I’m living paycheck to paycheck. It’s financially difficult. So being able to buy food was a real relief,” she shares.

“Don’t be afraid to seek help” 

Today, she sees her future in the charitable sector. She’s interested in helping others — because she herself received vital support at a difficult time.

“To women experiencing violence, I want to say: don’t be afraid to seek help. You are not alone. There is always a way out,” she shares.

The project “Feminine Power!” is implemented by the NGO Women’s Space, funded by The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) with technical support of UN Women Ukraine.

The views and opinions expressed in the video are those of the individuals featured and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of UN Women, the supporting organizations, or the donors involved in the project.